Repair and reinforcement of utility poles

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a method and system for the repair and reinforcement of poles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the invention relates generally to the repair and reinforcement of utility poles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Utility poles are generally subject to corrosion and mechanical damage over time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention may therefore comprise a method of providing support for a pole, the pole comprising a pole shaft and a structural base support enabled to engage one or more anchor bolts, the method comprising inserting a first repair sleeve over one or more of the anchor bolts so that an inside surface of the first repair sleeve nearly abuts the pole shaft of the pole, the first repair sleeve comprising a shaped wall portion, a plurality of flanges connected to the shaped wall portion and a base portion comprising a hole connected to the shaped wall portion and the plurality of flanges, inserting a second repair sleeve over one or more of the anchor bolts so that an inside surface of the second repair sleeve nearly abuts the pole shaft of the pole, the second repair sleeve comprising a shaped wall portion, a plurality of flanges connected to the shaped wall portion and a base portion comprising a hole connected to the shaped wall portion and the plurality of flanges, tightening one or more structural nuts over the one or more anchor bolts over which the first repair sleeve was inserted, tightening one or more structural nuts over the one or more anchor bolts over which the second repair sleeve was inserted, and connecting one of the plurality of flanges of the first repair sleeve to one of the plurality of flanges to the second repair sleeve.

Embodiments of the invention may further comprise a pole reinforcement system comprising a plurality of repair sleeves, wherein each of the plurality of repair sleeves comprises a shaped wall, a first flange comprising one or more access holes, a second flange one or more access holes and a base portion comprising one or more structural bolt openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a partial pole with a repair and reinforcement system.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a repair sleeve.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of a repair sleeve.

FIG. 4 shows a lower portion of a pole.

FIG. 5 shows a first section repair sleeve and a lower portion of a pole.

FIG. 6 shows a first and second repair sleeve and a lower portion of a pole.

FIG. 7 shows a 180 degree repair sleeve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the invention provide a repair and reinforcement method and system for poles. Specifically, the method may be used with utility poles. Over time, poles, and specifically utility poles, may be subject to conditions that effectively degrade the poles at various locations. The degradation, and deterioration, of poles may lead to weakened mechanisms. The degradation and deterioration may be a result of corrosion due to the elements and mechanical damage experienced by the pole. The degradation of the poles leads to a weakening of the integrity of the poles. Weakened poles present a public danger and may present a significant cost to local entities burdened with replacement of the poles.

Often, but not always, the deterioration of a pole occurs in the lower portion of the pole. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the lower portion of the pole may also be the portion of the pole that is the most highly stressed environmentally and structurally by various conditions, including winds and rain. It is understood that the ability of a pole to withstand structural and mechanical loading conditions may be variously affected by these environmental and event based stresses, such as physical damage due to an automobile. The deterioration of a pole may progress to the point where the condition of the pole requires replacement or repair. Replacement of a pole entails removing the existing pole, installing an entirely new pole and handling all of the ancillary matters associated with the pole, such as wires and connections to other poles and devices. Accordingly, replacement of a pole is expensive. The expense includes both time and money. Further, replacement of the pole, where the majority of the deterioration is localized near the base of the pole, entails discarding the remainder of the pole which is in good working condition. Embodiments of the invention provide a method and system for repair and reinforcement of a pole in order to strengthen a deteriorated pole and thereby extend the life of the pole.

FIG. 1 shows a partial pole with a repair and reinforcement system. Shown is a partial pole 110, a pole structural base support portion 120, a plurality of repair sleeves 130, a plurality of structural stitch bolts 140 and structural nuts 150. The pole 110 may be a utility pole or another type pole that shows signs of degradation and is in need of repair or replacement. The pole structural base support portion 120 is connectable to support structure (not shown) which provides support to the pole 110. The support structure may be a concrete structure embedded in the ground. Those skilled in the art will understand the availability of various different types of support structures. The structural base support portion 120 is connectable to a support structure in the ground by way of the structural nuts 150. The structural nuts 150 will connect to anchor bolts which are connected to, or embedded in, the support structure. A plurality of the repair sleeves 130 are connected to the structural bolts via the structural nuts 150. The plurality of repair sleeves 130 engage with each other around a portion of the pole 110. The structural stitch bolts 140 are used to connect one of the plurality of repair sleeves 130 to adjacent pieces of the plurality of repair sleeves 130.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of a repair sleeve. The repair sleeve 200 comprises a wall portion 210, a first flange 220 is at one side of the wall portion 210 and a second flange 230 is at another side of the wall portion 210 from the first flange 220. Each of the first flange 220 and second flange 230 has one or more bolt holes 240. A base portion 250 connects to the wall portion 210 and the first flange 220 and the second flange 230. The base portion 250 comprises at least one support structure bolt hole 260 which is capable of receiving a bolt from a support structure that may be embedded in the ground. The support structure bolt hole 260 may be slotted to provide ease in fitting the sleeve over a support structure bolt that may not be exactly centered to a circular bolt hole intended to exactly receive a support structure bolt. The support structure bolt hole 260 may also be oversized in comparison to a support structure bolt in such a case where the bolt hole 260 is oversized, a washer (not shown in FIG. 2) may be used to enable a structural nut to engage the base portion 250. A washer is shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The wall portion 210 is preferably shaped to accommodate the shape of a pole in need of repair. The shaping of the wall portion 210 may be accomplished by any suitable means. The wall portion 210 may be bent or forged in a specific shape. Those skilled in the art will understand suitable means to provide shape to a wall portion 210. The first and second flanges 220, 230 extend from the wall portion radially from a center position. In some embodiments of the invention, the flanges may extend outward from the surface of the pole non-radially. When a repair sleeve 200 is engaged with a pole, along with one or more other repair sleeves, the flanges 220, 230 will radiate from the surface of the pole. The flanges 220, 230 may be of one piece with the wall portion 210 and may be the result of stamping. The flanges 220, 230 may also be welded or otherwise connected to the wall portion 210. Those skilled in the art will understand the multiple ways in which the wall portion 210 and the flanges 220, 230 can be connected. The wall portion 210 and flanges 220, 230 are connected to the base portion in a substantially perpendicular configuration. It is understood that other than perpendicular may be utilized in the case where a pole does not engage with a support structure in a perpendicular manner. However, it is understood that a pole and a support structure generally engage substantially, or near, perpendicular. The base portion 250 may be connected to the wall portion 210 by welding. The base portion 250 may also be connected to the wall portion 210 in a tongue and groove arrangement (not shown). A tongue and groove arrangement may comprise interlocking teeth that engage each other to form a connection. The entire section may also be may be forged or stamped from a single piece. The flanges 220, 230 are welded to the base portion 250. The flanges 220, 230 are wide enough, from the connection point with the wall portion 210 to the outer edge of the flange 220, 230 to provide structural base support and to provide space for stitch bolts. The wall portion 210 and flanges 220, 230 may be of a different thickness than the base portion 250. The wall portion 210 and flanges 220,230 may also be of different thicknesses. The wall portion 210 and flanges 220, 230 may be a quarter of an inch (¼″) and the base portion 250 may be three quarters of an inch (¾″), for example. The thickness may vary. Any thickness for the wall portion 210, flanges 220, 230 and base portion 250 may be used to provide support to a pole.

In an embodiment of the invention, the repair sleeve may comprise a wall portion (such as wall portion 210 in FIG. 2) and a base portion (such as base portion 250 in FIG. 2). The flanges may be absent from such an embodiment. The repair sleeve and base portion of a repair sleeve may be connected, by welding or stamping for example, similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The wall portion may have a grooved portion on an outer face to accommodate a band. The band may be used to provide tightening of the repair sleeve to a pole shaft. Banding techniques are understood in the art.

FIG. 3 shows a back view of a repair sleeve. The repair sleeve 300 has a wall portion 310, a first flange 320, a second flange 330, one or more cushion strips 380 and a base portion 350. The connection between the wall portion 310 and the base portion 350 has a gap 370. The gap 370 is provided to accommodate a fillet weld between a pole shaft and the pole structural support portion of a pole that sits on top of a structural base support. The gap 370 accommodates a fillet weld, or any other abnormality or discontinuity in the connection of a pole to a structural base support portion (120 in FIG. 1). The wall portion 310 overlaps the top surface of the base portion 350 to create a gap 370. The wall portion 310 accordingly may extend downward past the top surface of the base portion 350 and the lower extent of the flanges 320, 330. The lower extent of the flanges 320, 330 abut the top surface of the base portion 350 and allow for a connection, such as a weld or other connection. The gap 370 may be created in the repair sleeve 300 by any technique that provides appropriate spacing for a fillet weld or other abnormality. The cushion strips may be long strips along the inside of the wall portion 310. The cushion strips may be comprised of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer (M-class) rubber) foam strips. The cushion strips 380 may be comprised of a closed cell structure to eliminate trapped moisture. The cushion strips 380 may be comprised of any material that provides cushion to the repair sleeve 310 and aids in spreading the stresses of the repair sleeve 310. The stresses that may be of most concern in regard to the use of cushion strips are contact stresses which may damage protective coatings. The strips may also aid in spreading other stresses as may be understood in the art. The strips may be adhered to the inside wall of the wall portion. The strips may be placed on the inside face of the wall portion.

FIG. 4 shows a lower portion of a pole. The lower portion of a pole assembly 400 has a pole 410, a structural base support portion 420, a plurality of structural nuts 450 and a plurality of anchor bolts 460. The pole 410 is generally tapered. If a pole is tapered, a repair sleeve (130 of FIG. 1) may be constructed to allow for the taper wherein a top portion of a repair sleeve, when assembled with like pieces, has a diameter at a top portion which is smaller than a diameter at a lower portion, such as where a wall portion 410 connects to a base portion 450. A fillet weld 470 may reside at the location where the outer portion of the pole 410 contacts the structural base support portion 420. Fillet welding refers to the process of joining two pieces of metal together whether they are perpendicular or at an angle.

FIG. 5 shows a first section repair sleeve and a lower portion of a pole. Shown is a partial pole 510, a pole structural base support portion 515, a repair sleeve 530, a plurality of structural stitch bolts holes 540 and structural nuts 550. The repair sleeve 530 has a wall portion 535, a pair of flanges 520 and a base portion 555. The pole 510 may be a utility pole or another type pole that shows signs of degradation and is in need of repair, reinforcement or replacement. The pole structural base support portion 515 is connectable to a support structure (not shown) which provides support to the pole 510. The support structure may be a concrete structure embedded in the ground. Those skilled in the art will understand the availability of various different types of support structures. The structural base support portion 515 is connectable to a support structure in the ground by way of the structural nuts 550. The structural nuts 550 connect to anchor bolts 556 which are connected to a support structure (not shown) and firmly hold the repair sleeve to the support structure. The plurality of repair sleeves 530 will be used to engage with each other around a portion of the pole 510. The structural stitch bolt holes 540 are used by the repair sleeve 530 to engage other repair sleeves using stitch bolts. A washer 560 may be used.

In FIG. 5, and all other Figures showing anchor bolts, the anchor bolts 556 are the same bolts used to support the pole when it was initially installed. Accordingly, one of the features of embodiments of the invention is that the method and system for repair or reinforcement of a pole is that the existing anchor bolts are leveraged. In a situation where an existing anchor bolt is insufficient to engage with a repair sleeve, other methods and systems may be used to provide a mechanism of anchoring the repair sleeve to the existing support structure. This may include installing a new anchor bolt, repairing an anchor bolt, or fastening the repair sleeve to the support structure in a manner that entails providing a new anchoring mechanism.

FIG. 6 shows a first and second repair sleeve and a lower portion of a pole. Shown is a partial pole 610, a pole structural base support portion 615, a first and second repair sleeve 630, a plurality of structural stitch bolt holes 640, a plurality of stitch bolts 645 and structural nuts 650, it is understood that the stitch bolts 645 may incorporate stitch nuts and washers. The first and second repair sleeves 630 have a wall portion 635, a pair of flanges 620 and a base portion 655. The pole 610 may be a utility pole or another type pole that shows signs of degradation and is in need of repair or replacement. The pole structural base support portion 615 is connectable to a support structure (not shown) which provides support to the pole 610. The support structure may be a concrete structure embedded in the ground. Those skilled in the art will understand the availability of various different types of support structures. The structural base support portion 615 is connectable to a support structure in the ground by way of the structural nuts 650. The structural nuts 650 connect to anchor bolts 656 which are connected to a support structure (not shown) and firmly hold the repair sleeve to the support structure. The first and second repair sleeves 630 are shown connected at connection 670 using stitch bolts 645. The structural stitch bolt holes 640 are used by the repair sleeve 630 to engage other repair sleeves using stitch bolts 645 as shown.

FIG. 7 shows a 180 degree repair sleeve. Shown is a partial pole 710, a pole structural base support portion 715, a repair sleeve 730, a plurality of structural stitch bolt holes 740, a plurality of stitch bolts 745 and structural nuts 750. The repair sleeve 730 has a wall portion 735, a pair of flanges 720 and a base portion 755. The pole 710 may be a utility pole or another type pole that shows signs of degradation and is in need of repair or replacement. The pole structural base support portion 715 is connectable to a support structure (not shown) which provides support to the pole 710. The support structure may be a concrete structure embedded in the ground. Those skilled in the art will understand the availability of various different types of support structures. The structural base support portion 715 is connectable to a support structure in the ground by way of the structural nuts 750. The structural nuts 750 connect to anchor bolts 756 which are connected to a support structure (not shown) and firmly hold the repair sleeve to the support structure. The structural stitch bolt holes 740 are used by the repair sleeve 730 to engage other repair sleeves using stitch bolts 745. As shown in FIG. 7, the repair sleeve 730 connects to two of the anchor bolts 756. The repair sleeve 730 encompasses 180 degrees of the pole 710. A pair of 90 degree repair sleeves as shown in FIG. 6, for example, may be used on the side of the pole 710 opposite repair sleeve 730. A single repair sleeve that is like repair sleeve 730 may also be used on the opposite side of the pole 710.

As shown in the Figures, an embodiment of the invention is a repair sleeve that is assembled in four sections, FIG. 7 shows two or three sections. The assembled repair sleeve conforms to the shape of the pole so as to facilitate load transfer from the pole to the repair sleeve and from the sleeve to the foundation system. As well as embodiments including stitch bolt holes and stitch bolts, connectors utilizing banding (such as zip clamps or a hose type clamp), adhesives, clips installed over the flange joints where the individual pieces come together, or interlocking pieces may be used. A combination of connection methods can also be used in embodiments of the invention.

The repair sleeve may be comprised of a metal or a composite material. The repair sleeve may be uncoated, galvanized, painted, galvanized and painted, powder coated or covered with another coating system as understood in the art.

An embodiment of the invention is a repair sleeve comprised of a wall portion and flanges and a base portion connected thereto. The repair sleeve may be fabricated from a single formed piece of uniform thickness or of varying thickness. Those skilled in the art will understand the methods of materials fabrication suitable for fabricating an appropriate repair sleeve.

Embodiments of the invention comprise flexible, gaskets/pads/cushions made of durable water, chemical and UV resistant material. These may include rubber and polymer. These materials may be designed to cushion the interface between the inner portion of the sleeve and the surfaces of the pole. As noted in regard to FIG. 3, this aids to transfer the load of the pole more uniformly and may minimize issues associated with vibration and other external factors that may cause the interface at the pole and repair sleeve to wear and damage.

Embodiments of the invention may utilize sealants between the sleeve and pole. Embodiments may also utilize sleeve covers.

As noted in regard to the figures, pieces of the repair sleeve may be manufactured to accommodate a range of pole diameters and shapes. Also, embodiments of the invention may include a variety of patterns and numbers of stitch bolt holes and stitch bolts as well as slots or other receiving mechanism. Embodiments may include repair sleeves that vary in height to accommodate larger damage.

Embodiments of the invention may include a slot in the base portion. Embodiments may include a repair sleeve designed with holes or slots that are larger than the existing structural nuts used to anchor a pole to the structural base support. The nut could be backed off or removed and a washer, or plate, could be installed that bridges the gap and then the nut could be tightened against bridging element. Sleeves with fewer parts can also be installed if the sleeve's base portion incorporates holes, or slots that can be installed over the existing nuts anchoring the pole to the foundation system.

Some embodiments of the invention may include decorative sleeves.

A method of installing a plurality of repair sleeves may include one or more of the following steps:

-   -   1. Removing one of the plurality of structural nuts that         generally attach to a pole assembly. The surfaces may be cleaned         of rust and dirt with any suitable means. The visible threads of         the anchor bolt may be coated with a corrosion inhibiting paste,         or other material. A corrosion coating may be applied to the         pole shaft and base support. Those skilled in the art will         understand appropriate corrosion coatings and application.     -   2. Installing one section of a repair sleeve over the anchor         bolt. Note, that if a 180 degree repair sleeve is utilized, that         step 1 will entail two structural nuts and step 2 will entail         installing one section of a repair sleeve over two anchor bolts.     -   3. Tightening the anchor nut back in place over the base portion         of the repair sleeve. This may include a washer or plate placed         over the anchor bolt and under the anchor nut.     -   4. Repeating step 1 and step 2 for one or more anchor bolts and         repair sleeves.     -   5. Installing and loosely tightening a plurality of stitch bolts         through stitch holes (this may be handing or other connection         mechanism as described herein) of the sections of the repair         sleeves being joined.     -   6. Steps are repeated until the pole is entirely engaged with         repair sleeves.     -   7. If stitch bolts are used, tightening the stitch bolts in a         cross pattern. A torque wrench may be used to avoid over, or         under, tightening of the stitch bolts.     -   8. Tighten all anchor nuts to a specified torque.

Embodiments of the invention may include a cutout in the wall portion. The cutout is used to go over existing hand access points in pole shafts. The access points provide maintenance staffs, and others, access to the interior of pole shafts. The cutout in the wall portion may be sized appropriately for a particular access point in a pole shaft. In some embodiments, the access points may be oversized to provide an opening in the wall portion of a repair sleeve that may accommodate a variety of differently sized access points in different pole shafts. It is noted that a cutout is different than an access hole in a flange. The access holes in a flange may accommodate stitch bolts or bands for tightening a plurality of repair sleeves together. The cutout is in the wall portion of the repair sleeve.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include other alternative embodiments of the invention except insofar as limited by the prior art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing support for a pole, said pole comprising a pole shaft and a pole structural base support portion enabled to engage one or more anchor bolts, said method comprising: inserting a first repair sleeve over one or more of said anchor bolts so that an inside surface of said first repair sleeve nearly abuts said pole shaft of said pole, said first repair sleeve comprising a shaped wall portion, a plurality of flanges connected to said shaped wall portion and a base portion comprising a hole connected to said shaped wall portion and said plurality of flanges; inserting a second repair sleeve over one or more of said anchor bolts so that an inside surface of said second repair sleeve nearly abuts said pole shaft of said pole, said second repair sleeve comprising a shaped wall portion, a plurality of flanges connected to said shaped wall portion and a base portion comprising a hole connected to said shaped wall portion and said plurality of flanges; tightening one or more structural nuts over said one or more anchor bolts over which said first repair sleeve was inserted; tightening one or more structural nuts over said one or more anchor bolts over which said second repair sleeve was inserted; and connecting one of said plurality of flanges of said first repair sleeve to one of said plurality of flanges to said second repair sleeve.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality flanges of said first repair sleeve comprise a plurality of stitch bolt holes, said plurality of flanges of said second repair sleeve comprise a plurality of stitch bolt holes and said process of connecting one of said plurality of flanges of said first repair sleeve to one of said plurality of flanges to said second repair sleeve comprises installing and tightening a plurality of stitch bolts through said stitch bolt holes of said first repair sleeve and said stitch bolt holes of said second repair sleeve.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said plurality of flanges of said first repair sleeve comprise one or more slots, said plurality of flanges of said second repair sleeve comprise one or more slots and wherein said process of connecting comprises threading a band through one of said slots of said one of said plurality of flanges of said first repair sleeve and through one of said slots of said one of said plurality of flanges of said second repair sleeve and tightening said band.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein said process of connecting comprises applying an adhesive between said wall portion of said first repair sleeve and said pole shaft and between said wall portion of said second repair sleeve and said pole shaft.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein said process of connecting comprises interlockingly engaging said one of said plurality of flanges of said first repair sleeve and one of said plurality of flanges to said second repair sleeve.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein said first repair sleeve comprising a shaped wall portion, a plurality of flanges connected to said shaped wall portion and a base portion comprising a hole connected to said shaped wall portion and said plurality of flanges is comprised of a galvanized metal and said second repair sleeve comprising a shaped wall portion, a plurality of flanges connected to said shaped wall portion and a base portion comprising a hole connected to said shaped wall portion and said plurality of flanges is comprised of a galvanized metal.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein said first repair sleeve comprises a singular piece of material and said second repair sleeve comprises a singular piece of metal.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said first repair sleeve further comprises a first gap at the connection between said shaped wall and said base portion and said second repair sleeve further comprises a second gap at the connection between said shaped wall and said base portion.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein said first repair sleeve further comprises one or more cushioning pieces placed on an inner face of said shaped wall of said first repair sleeve and one or more cushioning pieces placed on an inner face of said shaped wall of said second repair sleeve.
 10. A pole reinforcement system comprises a plurality of repair sleeves, wherein each of said plurality of repair sleeves comprises a shaped wall, a first flange comprising one or more access holes, a second flange one or more access holes and a base portion comprising one or more structural bolt openings.
 11. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 further comprising at least one flexible stress absorption pad, wherein said flexible stress absorption pad is adhered to an inside face of said shaped wall.
 12. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 further comprising a gap at a connection point between said shaped wall and said base portion.
 13. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 wherein said structural bolt opening is a hole.
 14. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 wherein said structural bolt opening is a slat.
 15. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 wherein said shaped wall, said first flange comprising one or more access holes, said second flange comprising one or more access holes and said base portion are comprised of a singular piece of material.
 16. The pole reinforcement system of claim 15, wherein said material is galvanized metal.
 17. The pole reinforcement system of claim 15, wherein said material comprises a carbon fiber.
 18. The pole reinforcement system of claim 15, wherein said material comprises a composite material.
 19. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 wherein said shaped wall, said first flange comprising one or more access holes and said second flange comprising one or more access holes is comprised of a singular piece of material and said singular piece of material is connected to said base portion.
 20. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 wherein said shaped wall, said first flange and said second flange are a first thickness and said base portion is a second thickness.
 21. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 further comprising one or more stitch bolts sized to said access holes in said first flange and said access holes in said second flange.
 22. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 wherein said access holes of said first flange and said access holes of said second flange are slots enabled to accept a tightening band.
 23. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 wherein each of said first and said second flanges of each of said plurality of repair sleeves is interlockably connectable with a flange of another of said plurality of repair sleeves.
 24. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10 wherein each of said first and said second flanges of each of said plurality of repair sleeves in hingeably connectable with a flange of another of said plurality of repair sleeves.
 25. The pole reinforcement system of claim 10, wherein said shaped wall of one of said plurality of repair sleeves comprises a cutout.
 26. A method of reinforcing a pole, said pole comprising a pole shaft and a pole structural base support portion enabled to engage one or more anchor bolts, said method comprising: inserting a first repair sleeve over one or more of said anchor bolts so that an inside surface of said first repair sleeve nearly abuts said pole shaft of said pole, said first repair sleeve comprising a shaped wall portion and a base portion comprising a hole connected to said shaped wall portion; inserting a second repair sleeve over one or more of said anchor bolts so that an inside surface of said second repair sleeve nearly abuts said pole shaft of said pole, said second repair sleeve comprising a shaped wall portion and base portion comprising a hole connected to said shaped wall portion; tightening one or more structural nuts over said one or more anchor bolts over which said first repair sleeve was inserted; tightening one or more structural nuts over said one or more anchor bolts over which said second repair sleeve was inserted; and tightening said first repair sleeve and said second repair sleeve to said pole section.
 27. The method of claim 26, said method further comprising applying a corrosion inhibiting coating to said pole shaft.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein said method further comprises applying an adhesive between said wall portion of said first repair sleeve and said pole shaft and between said wall portion of said second repair sleeve and said pole shaft.
 29. The method of claim 26, wherein said first repair sleeve comprises a singular piece of material and said second repair sleeve comprises a singular piece of metal.
 30. The method of claim 26, wherein said first repair sleeve further comprises a first gap at the connection between said shaped wall and said base portion and said second repair sleeve further comprises a second gap at the connection between said shaped wall and said base portion.
 31. The method of claim 26, wherein said first repair sleeve further comprises one or more cushioning pieces placed on an inner face of said shaped wall of said first repair sleeve and one or more cushioning pieces placed on an inner face of said shaped wall of said second repair sleeve. 